Grade 8 learner assaulted at local school
The 13-year-old boy was assaulted by four Grade 11 learners at the school.
A DUFFS Road father said he wants justice for his 13-year-old son after an assault case at a local school. The father, who does not want to be named, said his son, a Grade 8 learner at Durban North College was beaten up by four Grade 11 learners last week. He has opened a case of assault at the Durban North Police Station and said he hopes justice takes its course.
According to the local father, his son suffered injuries to his ribs, neck and leg in the assault. He now has a medical bill in excess of R2 000 which he says the parents of the boys who carried out the assault should cover. A tribunal to determine the outcome of the incident will be heard at the school later this week.
“My wife was waiting for my son after school and two of his friends sheepishly came to the car saying he was just freshening up. As he approached the car, my wife noticed he was limping and knew something was wrong. He eventually told her what had happened. The four boys had approached him and pushed him to the ground. They began punching and kicking him while he lay on the ground. When my wife phoned me I rushed to the school to speak to the principal.
“My son suffers from Osgood Schlatters Disease, which affects his knee. Since the attack he has been struggling to walk. He is a good cricket player and because of this incident he won’t be able to play cricket for a period of time. We have to help him with his school bag. I’m extremely angry about the assault and I feel the safety of my child has been compromised. I want justice to take its course, the boys responsible for this need to be suspended,” he said.
Chairperson of the school’s governing body, Johanne Van Royen says the incident is disappointing.
“I’m extremely disappointed by the incident. The School Governing Body and management instituted disciplinary proceedings fully supported by the Department of Education. Due process has to take its course. We condemn any form or act of violence in the strongest possible terms and will not tolerate it,” he said.
Attempts to get hold of the KZN Department of Education’s Muzi Mahlambi have been unsuccessful.
